“Yes, I know you did; but I thought you was wrong, and of course I had to oppose you. But, anyway, it’s all right now; we’re going to make it all right. Some few of the farmers are kicking because Davison and I have got control of the ditch, but they’ll live to bless the day the thing happened. We’ll strengthen their dam and enlarge the canal and laterals and furnish plenty of water. Where they watered ten acres we’ll water hundreds. We’ve got the money to do it with, and they hadn’t; that’s the difference.” His shining watch chain rose and fell on his heaving stomach, as he talked. Looking at it, Justin could almost fancy it had been wrought of that gold which Fogg, with heavy but nimble fingers, gathered from even the most unpromising places. Fogg seemed almost a Midas. Fogg did not take his departure before midnight, but when he went he was in a very good humor with himself and all the world. CHAPTER XIII IN PARADISE VALLEY Coming one forenoon from the kitchen, where she had been instructing the new cook installed in the position Pearl had held so long, Lucy observed Justin walking in a dejected manner down the trail that led to Clayton’s, and saw that he had been in conversation with Philip Davison. She knew what that conversation had been about, and when Davison came into the house she followed him up to his room. There was a heightened color in her cheeks, as she stood before her guardian. He looked up, a frown on his florid face. “What is it?” he asked almost gruffly; but she was not to be put down. “You won’t mind telling me what you said to Justin awhile ago?” She slid into a chair, and sat up very straight and stiff. “You sent him to me, I suppose?” “I didn’t, but I have known he meant to speak to you.” “He wants to marry you!” “That isn’t news to me.” “No, I suppose it isn’t. But what has he got to marry on?” “Now, Uncle Philip, I’m going to say what I think! Justin is your son, and every father owes something to his child. Don’t you think so?” Davison’s blue eyes snapped, but he would not be angry with this favorite niece. “Well, yes, I suppose so, if you put it that way.” “Justin and I have been just the same as engaged for a long time.” “Yes, I’ve known that, too. I told him to show what there was in him; and,” his tone became bitter, “he has shown it!” Lucy refused to become offended. “Of course we can’t marry unless you help him along. Justin has been wanting to go to Denver. He thinks he could do well there by and by, after he became acquainted and had a start. Doctor Clayton knows a man there to whom he will give him a letter. But expenses are something terrific in a city, and we should have to wait a long time before Justin could work up to a salary that would justify us in getting married.” “So it’s you that wants to get married, is it?” “I am one who wants to get married; Justin is the other.” Davison laughed in changing mood. “What do you demand that I shall do?”